SLEEPING bats have caused plans to bulldoze historic Berkeley Towers to be put on hold.

The imposing building in Merrivale Road in Wistaston has been the target of vandals since its former owners, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, moved out in the mid-1990s.

Neighbours hoped it would be demolished in September when Manchester-based developer Deanway Homes received planning permission to build 12 plush apartments on the site.

But a colony of long-eared bats living in the roof space has forced the company to put its plans on ice.

The bats, which have strikingly large ears, brown fur and pink faces, live for 30 years and have been swooping round the grounds of the building since it was built in 1892.

Every year they hibernate from October to April and produce young in mid-June.

Only bat specialists are permitted to move the protected species and the new habitat has to be seen to support them, with a plentiful supply of their favourite foods including moths, caterpillars and spiders.

Stephen Scanlan, Manchester agents acting on behalf of Dean-way Homes, has applied to Defra for a licence to move them to woodland nearby.

Spokesman Alan Murdoch said: 'We are aware of the complaints about vandalism at Berkeley Towers and appreciate the concerns of local residents but we cannot bulldoze the building until the bats are moved.

'Only a licensed handler can do this and we have applied to Defra for the licence and that's what has caused the delay.

'We also need to produce a landscaping plan which will include the restoration of the pond.

'It is home to many species of wildlife and while saving it, the intention is to make it an attractive feature of the prestige development.'

But Wistaston borough councillor Margaret Simon says there is growing concern about the vandalism and ramshackle appearance of the building.

She said: 'The saga has gone on for so long, with one developer after another producing plans for the site.

'Understandably, patience is wearing thin among local residents who now have to put up with what has become an eyesore on their doorstep.'

Built for Albert Day, a leading manufacturer of agricultural medicines, in its heyday Berkeley Towers was the epitome of Victorian opulence and the venue for grand balls.

Bought by MAFF in 1939, it fell into disrepair when the former ministry moved to new headquarters at Crewe Business Park.